Arman Tsarukyan stated that a fight with Islam Makhachev is unlikely, predicting that Makhachev will retire within a couple of fights. Tsarukyan declared he will capture the UFC lightweight division within the next year and become the face of the sport. Dana White commented that he likes Tsarukyan's current activity level and that the Armenian fighter just needs to avoid behaving like a "maniac" to secure a title shot. Robert Whittaker denied rumors about a potential fight with Magomed Ankalaev. The post also mentioned that Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier will serve as coaches on the next season of The Ultimate Fighter.
Arman Tsarukyan has set an ambitious public timeline for himself, declaring he will claim the UFC lightweight championship within the next year and establish himself as the face of the sport.
The Armenian contender expressed doubt that a fight with reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev will materialise, suggesting Makhachev will retire within a couple of fights. Makhachev, 34, carries a 28-1-0 record and currently holds the lightweight title while also sitting at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings. The Russian champion fights out of Eagles MMA and has built a dominant grappling-heavy game, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing strikes at a 58 percent accuracy rate.
UFC president Dana White weighed in on Tsarukyan's title ambitions, saying he approves of the fighter's recent activity level. White added that Tsarukyan simply needs to avoid erratic behaviour to put himself in line for a championship opportunity.
Elsewhere, middleweight contender Robert Whittaker moved to distance himself from speculation linking him to a bout with light heavyweight number-one contender Magomed Ankalaev. Whittaker, 35, holds a 27-9-0 record and ranks sixth in the middleweight division, landing an impressive 4.39 significant strikes per minute throughout his career. Ankalaev, also 34, sits ranked fifth pound-for-pound with a 21-2-1 record and a striking output of 3.65 significant strikes per minute. Whittaker denied those rumors directly.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's public declaration puts pressure on the lightweight title picture and could accelerate matchmaking decisions at 155 pounds
- Makhachev's future activity level will determine whether a Tsarukyan title shot becomes a reality or falls apart entirely
- Whittaker's denial closes off a potential cross-divisional matchup that had drawn attention among fans and media
